Agora
Posts in Society
![Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2013/11/14/syntagma_1000_myrto_1411-large.jpg "Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]")
The Greek Ombudsman and public administration during challenging times
The creation of the Ombudsman in 1997 as an independent authority may be seen as a symbol of institutional modernisation. It was intended to strengthen the Rule of Law, to consolidate good governance and ensure the respect of human rights; it constituted an injection of accountability into the Greek political administrative system and a means for the empowerment of citizens vis-à-vis the bureaucracy.
Contributor: Calliope Spanou
Categories: Society (142), Greece (498)
![Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2013/11/25/goldendawn2_1000_myrto_2511-large.jpg "Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]")
Down but not out: Golden Dawn rears its head again
Almost two months after the government cracked down on Golden Dawn, the neo-fascist party is rising again. Analysts explain why the party's popularity has not been damaged.
Contributor: Harry van Versendaal
Categories: Politics (387), Society (142), Greece (498)
![Photo by Can Esenbel [www.mundanepleasure.com]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2013/10/15/acropolis_esenbel_900_1510-large.jpg "Photo by Can Esenbel [www.mundanepleasure.com]")
House of cards (The rise and fall of Akis Tsochatzopoulos)
It was the house that did for him. Former Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos succumbed to the base desire of enshrining his wealth and potency in real estate. Hubris, however, blinded him to the dangers of choosing a property within a marble fragment’s throw of the Parthenon. On some days, the Acropolis’s shadow virtually touched the luxury apartment the PASOK veteran purchased on Athens’ most exclusive road.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Politics (387), Society (142), Greece (498)
A quarter-pounder democracy
Just under 17 years ago, New York Times commentator Thomas Friedman put forward a theory that if McDonald’s restaurants open in a country, a functioning democracy and institutions won’t be far behind. In July, the last McDonald’s operating in Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, closed. Friedman did not opine on whether the opposite of his theory was also true.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Society (142), Greece (498)
Lest we forget
The satisfaction of seeing our political system and institutions fulfilling their role should not allow the events that have led up to this point of possible catharsis slip from our mind.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Politics (387), Society (142), Greece (498)